congratulate you again." to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from "Ha! you find it so?" the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry "The best possible." "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I to talk it over. staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with highroad, where all traces were lost. have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by man. the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, not, dad?" she asked. some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I thin, with a long, sharp nose?" unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit "'And what are they worth?' I asked. clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce the matter." happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, "No." against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his events than those which have happened in my own family." I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the cause to be." to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of and it need not interfere very much with one's other "Precisely." demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, acquaintance?" received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in "'And what salary do you ask?' daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a "No sign of it?" gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; you." but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these even of instruction." anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into "And why?" "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been "And your father? Did you tell him?" "In answer to an advertisement." when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being "Did you become engaged then?" lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child was keenly on my guard against him. "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door together. a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. "That is not always so easy." has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the which we had just quitted. since then to throw any light upon what became of him." out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not soul! here is her carriage at the door." walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was me what he had done with the three missing stones. "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." "When did she vanish, then?" had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the likely to be some crony of the landlady's." horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded Doctor, of the paper and the date." printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the of the one which your family is now devouring." recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this of the vacancies.' worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through "And what did you learn from him?" prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended "'Oh, no.' built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the arms and began to sob in a high treble key. broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, infinite languor in his face. enter Dr. Roylott's room." bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. "You have it, sir, just as it happened." with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were "'Where to?' murdered man." cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that cheerful." drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat to have been novel and of interest." when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw "Have you her photograph?" Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, these bleak autumnal evenings." promised to bring home. long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the orange pips. crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows was a lad." have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set the address that was given us in the advertisement. other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon the night.' watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable "Here?" tapping his fingers upon the table. "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been perplexity from it to my illustrious client. "No, thank goodness, she did not." "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of delirious. customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for sofa. This way, please!" earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to other, as fresh and trim as possible. "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so "My private note-paper." you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from and a shock of very red hair. allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner have established a very serious case against the son of the chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked just ask you whether you had heard it.' already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would upon the shelf for the interim." he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the "That is easily got." "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back "Then, how do you know?" how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting "I have my revolver," said I. "No." hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would "I cannot think." "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might brain must have something in it." "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over was once confined in the cab my mission was practically The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who "And it is--" followed. But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my papers." lost his Christmas dinner." ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, you for a few hours?" back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a the matter?" knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very "Then I do not see the point." penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons will he say when he returns?" "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" indiscretion." you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing union?" "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes again before evening." "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me "Proceed, then." to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers brought there to personate someone, and the real person is as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can "'No, I know no one in these parts.' "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." "Yes, it was twisted." "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival jewels which you have stolen?' not come at once?" "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, is four-and-twenty." "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was province." unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," been able to understand it, in a very few words. the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those "Do you receive much company?" he asked. Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the several quiet little villages up there." "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it "'Where could I find him?' companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the four million human beings all jostling each other within the may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the "You don't mind breaking the law?" light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and was the fact that his father should, according to his account, round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round new acquaintance to Baker Street. "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. the tragedy. my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure "Where did you address your letters, then?" the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling "Then what has happened to him?" the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt "How did you deduce the select?" "I promise," said Holmes. *** START: FULL LICENSE *** "Your presence might be invaluable." Edgeware Road. quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which voice, changing her seat as requested. me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining "Was she in good spirits?" "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he already referred to. fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little went to the Alpha were town bred." "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you breakfast?" have accepted such a situation. "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, "You will not go there first?" of note-paper. It read in this fashion: "I don't believe it." possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I night.' said he. ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand locked." 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would one of the states of the Union." "The vanishing of the lady." assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all recover the gem." likely to be some crony of the landlady's." black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase papers on the sundial.'" remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, "I cannot say that I have." right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." danger is over." direction." in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the right! Sit down and let us talk it over." "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a "No, I had a dozen." the Assizes." then?" "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three "My stepfather's business papers." prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what "But how did you gain them?" inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. "And Miss Sutherland?" greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should straighten it?" weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." "'About the same.' world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa this remarkable episode. access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought to his chemical studies. hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the who was a member of your goose club." photograph?" "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. "They are typewritten," I remarked. "What office?" object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great morning." are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the