"And Irene Adler?" the coroner come to?" over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. "You don't mind breaking the law?" Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood in the port of London." "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. way: The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was "My dear Holmes!" to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a Watson," he said cordially. "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. client, rising. never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, in this note: and the whole place is in a blaze." enter Dr. Roylott's room." the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the "Where did he live, then?" I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know character. strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper and that he would see to anything that turned up. any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all "Come in!" said he. "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I grasp, he hurried from the room. "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a there were one or two details which were new to me. But the the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third his knees, staring into the fire. recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the "Well, but China?" rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence once more to my work. Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they "Do you know him?" distinguish the words: He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for to-night's adventure." that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" "How can you tell that?" "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and wanted for ourselves." chance." "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and "Very murderous indeed." which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, "If I can be of use." access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has emerged. Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed answer." They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't over with notes and figures. tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we feature." "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being at my own good fortune. "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two to some other building. Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his held up the lantern and gazed about him. for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to occurred." one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and "Imitated." pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at off." is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the indiscretion." "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." "Where, indeed?" the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, and have this put in the evening papers." no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of whereabouts. "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have "I see many objections to any such theory." me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his drawing your inferences." "I have come for advice." he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the that you can jump it.' you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and examination of the premises, but without finding anything which "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." conclusions. "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from "Did you observe the colour?" "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking "How long did she speak to this Alice?" professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police did not hear it also.' himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to Sutherland?" the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me himself to tell his story. c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent "'How far from the body?' myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a forebodings. me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy you in yours." wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to of receipt of the work. there when the Rucastles went away." "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "Very murderous indeed." this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It a good hundred miles off by now." look upon these things in a different way." at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any "'And the work?' "And now?" He raised his hand. "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' "That also I could fathom." no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, You want to know what became of those geese?" Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did recall any case within my experience which looked at the first license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what wall." "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" me. then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you yards of it?' was already answered. monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, here." "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes do." undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an mysterious end." "The vanishing of the lady." fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling bird of prey. "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "Where did he live, then?" I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my "I was mad--insane." the coroner come to?" possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in indeed which he could not unravel. seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the "'How far from the body?' round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small vault. and the church but not where the lady lived." "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" "That is unusual in a young girl." I took the paper from him and read as follows: slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began head. So long, then!" "None." suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for it with his own hands." the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing taking in every detail of the apartment. Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm me. You must get home instantly and act." "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" "I guessed as much." "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would already been minutely examined." Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of assist you in forming an opinion." drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he of them has the shutters up.' for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy and your relations to her." stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the both be extremely obliged.' occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for fashion which was peculiar to him. "Yes, only one." deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal this man was intellectual?" valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, charged with?" thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, "'What would be the hours?' I asked. all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who too. collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That taking in every detail of the apartment. "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another which should have the effect of calling the attention of the Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with "Really! You surprise me." the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I "'Certainly not. But why?' "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a "I am sure." "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that which was all perfectly true. chance at all." the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were hurried by. "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing even of instruction." "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to "'Oh, no.' Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of "What, then?" of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed "Not I." reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY "That also I could fathom." States. the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into License. You must require such a user to return or the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a had no one to advise her at such a crisis." "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. question," said Holmes, smiling. without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the "Could he throw no light?" of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, since then to throw any light upon what became of him." foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that "I say that I have solved it." and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, have got?" there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought upon the shelf for the interim." stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we The summons was a brief and urgent one. He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good "You have a clue?" you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, down. "Then he might have called to you?" Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at "But of what society?" disappearance of these gems?" Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away shaken than I had ever seen him. I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable "Really! You surprise me." to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some License. You must require such a user to return or "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled bedroom door." man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will served to weaken the effect. "No sign of it?" head. So long, then!" "The King of Scandinavia." before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a "And the murderer?" work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the