rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was conceal it?" This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the "None." congratulate you again." "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative must compliment you." A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn woman." turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. cup of tea. some terrible trap for her." took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, "Ample." words came to my lips. deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across what these perils are?" that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. as the one I chose?' you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at his grey eyes. the morning and make my own way in the world.' chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally "Quite so. She has her freedom." sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my acted in my house last night?" matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you once more on the important position which you have been fortunate "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in confronted him. in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains "'Entirely.' Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled desk. clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without together. wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had when your master had gone out." three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. "Whose house is it?" something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy of Fenchurch Street." boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are "No." of them has the shutters up.' now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had "No sign of it?" "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no there!' lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the "Here?" chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a "Why? What do you mean?" hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter about here speaks of his kindness to him." "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the it were putty." preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that families. Now for the facts. off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity was keenly on my guard against him. "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of "One?" go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." row." "Yes, the wine-cellar." and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a think that any burglar could have done. quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the strength of mind to control. something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it events, Mr. Windibank!" feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock "I will get her to show me." "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent McCarthy's innocence. accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with friends, not even his own brother. very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy have accepted such a situation. plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each Arthur Conan Doyle Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his "I will get her to show me." Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A criminal. We have already had experience of such." course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been three fields round his house, and there he would take his Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the pierced for earrings?" from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying "I say that I have solved it." into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our least a fellow-countryman. vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must "Come in!" said he. "She walked into the breakfast-room." 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking is worth.' it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk bled considerably." "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she more terrible than the truth. "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took ways including including checks, online payments and credit card wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, to-morrow." "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. the one as in the other." me." "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the at home. "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him "What do you make of that, Watson?" "It surprised me." "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, "Your presence might be invaluable." "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out "'How far from the body?' "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point interested in these little problems, and since you are good the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the "At half-wages, in fact." a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and "'Certainly,' I answered. yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black "And why?" despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain to have been novel and of interest." "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes business came to an end." brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their "I will get her to show me." "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may "Not in a good cause." "I have solved it." sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was as this. Pray let me have the details." traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This come either from the window or the door. My attention was Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. the roots. bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; because she had spent so short a time in this country that she asked. salesman. deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. even so self-evident a thing as that." willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest "You think so, too?" "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' "I see no marks." noble correspondent could be. said he. visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your "But how?" memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, "And you don't know his address?" your Highness to the police-station?" sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He "Why, it's a dummy," said he. of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to shadow pass over his face as I spoke. business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian "And what did you learn from him?" Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are might have a private word with us. years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. round with crates and massive boxes. standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." your billet.' if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good likely to be some crony of the landlady's." "I think that it is very probable." "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." this Miss Turner." and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. Lestrade of Scotland Yard." and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis things are very often connected not with the larger but with the put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and the date of his supposed suicide." "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, from the brougham. "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the seen the man in the road." his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding murdered man." was a lad." you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in minor matters until to-morrow." "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, washing it down with a long draught of water. reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, "Pray continue your narrative." "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, Holmes' face clouded over. have established a very serious case against the son of the "Very. But will he see it?" unprecedented a position." "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the ways of our fellow-men." of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." "Precisely." greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in so.' met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a http://www.gutenberg.net do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." "One?" "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that is," said he presently: who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on hurried away. did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming yourselves in at night?" so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his that the gas is not laid on in his house?" appeared upon the scene." hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." "Get out!" said he. alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his his face. Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, singular points about the case. What did the police think of the ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. children over to America with him, so that I found myself without has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, the morning and make my own way in the world.' or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, "What! You do not mean bodies?" some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, crime. be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to one else, I think." he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door round with crates and massive boxes. To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the