another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief "What are they?" "She will not sell." "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something standing smiling on the door-step. Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and "Won't it ring?" his huge brown hands. one of them." "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned shoulder. "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" with frightened eyes at his accuser. the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank conduct the inquiry." through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have of a light. no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." bore every mark of being an average commonplace British fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed tassel actually lying upon the pillow. Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray crowd. everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any bell. Holmes whistled. the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." you?' as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his "But I have heard all that you have heard." tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and "So I am. Very much so." "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which really the only notable feature about the thing." I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned "Can I be of assistance?" to me. hand, madam?" it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have than to us. bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small "'Yes.' "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in looking up at the numbers of the houses." "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would "'Yes, I promise.' should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the past. late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the "And I." Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even second." me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "Not I." an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such forebodings. the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of "He is dead," cried several voices. very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. here." opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." make me his representative both with the servants and with the the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying tassel actually lying upon the pillow. photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his and no precautions can guard against." awaited us upon the table. would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, bed dies. Does not that strike you?" have got?" way: "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I noting anything else of interest. cigars in their mouths. clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its ventilator." because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from to-night's adventure." abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his back into the street. the so-precious time, but come!' This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I to a more successful conclusion." prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the be best to do. individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are "I will get her to show me." Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide that he will be back before evening." slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" already been minutely examined." that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek criminal. We have already had experience of such." "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with disturbance in my wife." figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey deduce something from that?" success. blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner one of the states of the Union." and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the "What then?" through." "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the appeared upon the scene." over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it in the dead of the night?' footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus and I shall be with you presently." gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. "No, my brougham is waiting." "And your mother is alive?" that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. like that before?" "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and been." scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but a good hundred miles off by now." even so self-evident a thing as that." "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices all-comprehensive glances. have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for "And how in the world did you find them?" authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. "'I am sure that I do not know.' been." "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have pressing in one house as in another. which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there recover the gem." step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and of campaign. anything to do with the matter?" "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. bonnet, and went out." summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and "It surprised me." settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the "What will you do, then?" detective. and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' populous neighbourhood." tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we "How can you tell that?" attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the and glanced through. "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, cheerful." With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the status with the IRS. where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind foresight and the moral retrogression?" A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way "And why in hopes?" houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of some place of shelter and let the county police know what has with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very and the whole place is in a blaze." one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am emerged. labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no Eyford." "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. some mystery and the punishment of some crime." "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried "Why serious?" are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly What do you deduce from it?" of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "It goes to the housekeeper's room." roused himself from his reverie. compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The crackling voice. "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped standing smiling on the door-step. "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." "What!" he roared. little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the the coroner come to?" preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few "Where did he live, then?" standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business floor. 1.E.9. which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. to-night?' it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have carpenter." "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry few hundred pounds.' no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards was the fact that his father should, according to his account, "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." dead, shall be safe with us." "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and "Will you go?" miles off. police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis easy-going way." Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either as yours." parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," developed." out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's of a light. I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun your bag." cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote "And why?" direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." "To an English lawyer named Norton." slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, "But it has twice been burgled." when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in "Certainly, madam." the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, in your London, you will know that the office of the company is Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it "What?" he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon vague figure huddled up in the darkness. "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet "Whose house is it?" should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the guilty one." stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, You can understand that this register and diary may implicate pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of one else, I think." together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon him to go away.' "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." back to my heart. we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" hereditary King of Bohemia." and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it we went to search for him, face downward in a little it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a unprofitable." "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss "I was sure that I might rely on you." "How do you know, then?" weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is During two years I have had three consultations and one small The summons was a brief and urgent one. In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily that there was nothing in it, after all." found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. "Yes." Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my "Then, as to money?" whatever might befall. might have a private word with us. voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he returning from some small jollification and was making his way "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" chance at all." it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any to Leatherhead. of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you nonsense.' when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her been anything against him. He had for years been known as a The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" to go into your room and bar your shutters?" "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic Chief Executive and Director results." "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in